How To Build a Raised Dog Bed

By Joe Cruz

Updated: Oct. 28, 2020

Keep your dog off the furniture and up off the cold floor.

Time

A half day

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

$51–100

Introduction

Many of us like to keep our dog off the furniture and up off the cold floor. Here is a simple project you can build in an afternoon for only a few bones.

Tools Required

18-Gauge Brad Nail Gun
Circular saw or table saw
Hearing and eye protection
Measuring tape
Miter saw or jigsaw

Materials Required

1 qt. paint
1-1/4-in. 18-gauge brad nails
12-ft 1x8 poplar (1)
220-grit sandpaper
4x4-ft 3/4-in plywood (1)
Wood glue

Project step-by-step (11)

Step 1

Cutting the Boards

Cut two pieces of the 7-1/4-in. poplar at 41-1/2-in. for the front and back legs.
Cut two more pieces of the 7-1/4-in. poplar at 30 inches for the side legs.
Cut one plywood bottom at 30 x 40 inches.
Rip three 3/4 x 48-in. cleats from the remainder of the plywood.
Cut two cleats at 34-1/2-in. and two side cleats at 24 inches.
- Pro tip: Always check the width of the board. Sizes may vary coming from the store.

Step 2

Layout the Side Legs

Make pencil marks on the bottom edge of the board one inch from each end.
Draw a line 3-1/4-in. up from the bottom across the length of each board.
Connect the one-inch lines with the 3-1/4-in line at a 28 degree angle using an adjustable square, or make a 28 degree template with your miter saw (see photo).

Step 3

Cut the Side Legs

Cut the angles using a circular saw or miter saw. Be sure not to cut past the horizontal line.
To cut the horizontal line, make a plunge cut using a circular saw with a straight edge, or a table saw. Be sure to stop before the angle cuts.
Finish the cuts with a hand saw or jigsaw.
Using the side leg board you just cut as a template, lay it on the top of the other side leg board and trace the pattern onto the face of the board.
Cut on the lines as you did previously. Option: A jigsaw can be used for all the cuts.

Step 4

Layout the Back Leg

Make pencil marks on the bottom edge of the back leg board 1-3/4-in. from each end.
Lay the side leg board on the top of the back leg board lining up the inside of the leg with the 1-3/4-in. marks. Now trace the pattern onto the board.

Step 5

Cut the Back Leg

Cut the back leg as you did previously with the side legs.
Finish the cuts with a hand saw or jigsaw.

Step 6

Layout the Front Leg

The bottom cuts of the front leg are identical to the back leg. Use the back leg as a template and trace the pattern onto the board.
To layout the top cuts, first make pencil marks on the top edge of the board 3/4-in. from each end.
Draw a line 2-1/4-in. down from the top across the length of the board.
Connect the 3/4-in. lines with the 2-1/4-in. line at a 50 degree angle using an adjustable square, or make a 50 degree template with your miter saw.

Step 7

Cut the Front Leg

First, make all your angle cuts as you did previously with the side and back legs. Be sure not to cut past the horizontal lines.
To cut the two horizontal lines, make a plunge cut using a circular saw with a straight edge, or a table saw. Be sure to stop before the angle cuts.
Finish the cuts with a hand saw or jigsaw.

Step 8

Attach the Cleats

Apply wood glue to the 24-in. cleats and attach them to the inside bottom edge of each side leg, using 1-1/4-in. nails.
Apply wood glue to the 34-1/2-in. cleats and attach them to the inside bottom edge of the front and back legs, using 1-1/4-in. nails.

Step 9

Assemble the Legs

Apply wood glue on the ends of the right and left sides and attach them to the back leg using 1-1/4-in. nails (see photo).
Apply wood glue on the other end of the right and left sides and attach the front leg using 1-1/4-in. nails.

Step 10

Install the Bottom

Apply wood glue to the top of all four cleats.
Place the bottom on top of the cleats and attach it with 1-1/4-in. nails.

Step 11

Sand & Finish

Fill the nail holes with wood filler and let dry.
Sand the entire piece, taking off the sharp corners and edges with 220 grit sandpaper.
Prime and paint to the desired color.

Originally Published: October 27, 2020